Denmark has announced plans to ban social media access for children under the age of 15, becoming the latest country to take a firm stance against the growing influence of digital platforms on young people.
Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen unveiled the proposal on Tuesday during her address to parliament at the opening of its autumn session.
While she did not specify which platforms would be affected or how the measure would be enforced, Frederiksen said the initiative aims to protect children’s mental health and restore balance to their daily lives.
“The cell phone and social media are robbing our children of their childhood,” the Prime Minister declared. “Sixty percent of Danish boys aged 11 to 19 prefer staying home to spending time with friends — that should concern us all.”
Under the proposed law, parents could grant permission for their children to access social media beginning at age 13. The government has not yet released a timeline for the bill’s introduction.
Denmark’s plan follows a wave of similar initiatives worldwide. In late 2024, Australia became the first country to adopt a national ban on social media use by children under 16, though enforcement details remain unclear.
Platforms such as Facebook, TikTok, Snapchat, and YouTube are expected to fall under its scope.
Meanwhile, Greece has proposed establishing an “age of digital adulthood” across the European Union, which would require parental consent before minors can create social media accounts.
Denmark’s move signals a growing global consensus on the need to shield young people from online harm, amid rising concerns over screen addiction, mental health challenges, and the social isolation linked to excessive digital engagement.
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